MEET SHAIFUL!

A Beautiful Ode to Art ... Chanel SS2014

The collaboration between fashion and fine art is not
something new. The trend was en vogue back in spring 2008 – the season where
almost every fashionista turned into a mobile, living art gallery.

And when I
thought the trend may be just another fling that goes with the wind, Karl
Lagerfeld brought it back into the scene at Chanel’s spring/summer 2014
ready-to-wear presentation.

Set in an Art Biennale-esque ambiance where the runway
serves dual purpose – as what it is and as an exhibition ground featuring
specially commissioned artworks by top notch fine artistes – fashion editors
and reviewers alike were constantly raving about the show.

However, if you ask
me, I’d rather say that the real show stealer would always be the collection
itself. For spring/summer 2014, Lagerfeld gave the fashion house’s
storied tweed fabric a meticulous twist.

Rather than being spun using its
archetypal woollen threads, the Chanel version of tweed were spun out of
ribbons of other materials such as chiffon, organza, lace and scoubidou
threads; transformed into haute must-have pieces that are perfect to greet the
arrival of spring.

Apart from the reinvented tweed, other novel materials such
as rubberised guipure, double sided crepe de chine, silicon motif printed lace,
just to list a few, are doused in eclectic palette mixture of Chanel’s
quintessential black, white and navy with splashes of blue, pink, yellow and
green of various permutations – bright, pastel or fluorescent.

As the chill of
winter is still present especially during the start of the season, dresses in
crochet knits, concrete-effect leather or stencilled-finished would certainly
keep you chic and warm. The shoulder area on most pieces is either bare on both
sides (in the form of rounded cut-outs or slanted to one shoulder, and some
come with collars as well.

Traditional suits are given a new lease of style
through the combination of three, four, and even five pieces while Chanel’s
inevitable icon – the jacket – is reinvented in different styles such as
sleeveless with slender cut, supple and belted, and cut away over the bust and framing
square shoulder.

The skirts are long with side slits while wide-legged trousers
are paired with cool mini sweaters that are worn either knotted around the
waist or around the neck. Nevertheless, my pick of the crop, without doubt, is the
multicolour print collection that is certainly de rigueur for this season.

Adding
a punch of vivacity and a touch of jeunesse
to your spring/summer wardrobe, strokes of artist brush in delightful rainbow
hues are seen on dresses, bra tops, skirts and even a single men shirt with fun
detailing such as ruffles or hems trimmed with lace.

What’s more, a few looks
from the multicolour set have made their way on the cover of world’s coveted
fashion glossies.

Case in point: supermodel Karolina Kurková wore a silk top
and silk skirt with lace border from the collection for the February issue of
Harper’s Bazaar Malaysia and
Singapore
covers.

To accompany the sumptuous selection is a coterie of innovative
accessories du jour such as oversized
pearl in many chic incarnations with one of them is in the form of a headphone
around the neck, tagged backpacks with graffiti touch, mosaic adorned tote
bags, quilted two-toned art portfolios and two-toned Plexiglas minaudière.

As
for footwear, the cool knit and patent leather boots with high heels and
multicolour toile boots fully adorned with Chanel logo print bring out the
edginess in you.

Chanel SS2014 ready-to-wear and accessories will be
available at all Chanel boutiques worldwide starting March 2014.

EDITOR'S LOVE LETTER

One month from now, Christmas will be upon us, followed by New Year. Again, shopping malls and stores are literally screaming, “’Tis the season to go shopping!”

If in the previous years, our choices were limited to four collections – spring/summer, pre-fall, fall/winter and cruise - per year, the recent years have seen quite a surprising change. Spring has been separated from summer into a distinctive collection and same goes to winter – on its own. Overall, there are FIVE collections in a year! Does this mean yay or nay?

To the retailers, it is a certain 'yay' because it will lead to greater profit generation. To fashionistas who are always hungry for new clothes, it also means a huge ‘yay’ as they can keep on hunting for what’s new every day of the week. But what about fashionistas who are into fashion but lag behind when it comes to the finance part? A really tough situation, I suppose.

In this kind of situation, most fashionistas are torn between ready-to-wear and the accessories. To the accessories camp, accessories are worth investing in as they are not prone to seasons.

Take Birkin for instance. Regardless of what year or season, a black alligator hide 50cm Birkin in glossy finish is always relevant and goes well with anything, even in the next thousand years to come. So is Céline Luggage bag by Phoebe Philo that not only practical but also stands the test of time. Safe-keep them well and they can be the best heirlooms any girl could ask for.

While ready-to-wear is never a man’s problem, since menswear silhouettes and looks remain much the same season after season, the problem is more obvious with women.

Being season prone, many smart shoppers opt to stick with iconic or permanent pieces. Not only they are forever relevant but most importantly, they often last for a lifetime! Yet, there is a downside to it, if you were cash-strapped: They cost more than seasonal pieces. Furthermore, do not expect them to be seen on the sale rack once the season ends.

Speaking of permanent pieces, one of my favourite permanent or iconic looks that can be worn from day to night is the wrap dress by Diane von Furstenberg. Simple yet sexy, practical yet chic, the wrap dress has stood the test of time since it was first produced in the 1970s.

Furthermore, its appeal also lies in one fact every chic woman embrace: A wrap dress does not bring out the je ne sais quoi of a French woman or the cosmopolitan elegance of a New Yorker in you. Instead, it enhances your femininity, regardless of your age, your race, or your social background. Just as true as its creator once said, “Feel like a woman, wear a dress.”

So, no matter what your choice is, always remember that comfort is the main key to happiness and satisfaction. After all, having to walk and pose in pain for that bandage dress can be a waste of time, dear!

From me and Fashion Heaven Rants, wishing you a very chic Merry Christmas ahead!

Beaucoup d’Amour

Shaiful

WHO WEAR WHAT?

Sharon Stone seen with Mademoiselle Longchamp bag at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)